How to devour Finnish berries
Updated: Sep 28, 2022
Berries grow in Finnish forests in different varieties and are a part of the traditional Finnish diet. However, berries are not only popular among Finns because many people are aware of the health benefits of berries which are considered "superfoods," as shown in studies. Some health benefits of berries mentioned in the studies include a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects in humans. Picking berries in Finnish forests can also be a fantastic activity for families, including the elderly, young and kids who enjoy participating.
Finland has 'Everyman's right,' which allows all people to move freely in the forests and to pick berries without permits. However, one can also buy berries in supermarkets harvested in the woods or grown in the fields. Here are the names of some berries: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, lingonberries, cranberries, cloudberries, blackcurrants, red- and white- currants, gooseberries, etc. This article aims to explain different ways of eating and enjoying healthy berries since most foreigners don't know how they can use delicious berries in various excellent ways.
How to consume berries:
-Berries on their own as snacks, frozen, dry, or fresh berries exist in Finnish food stores
Berries and food:
Berries as a side dish or accompanied with the meal, for example, Finnish casserole dishes (laatikko), such as kaali-laatikko which is a cabbage casserole eaten with lingonberries
Berries in fruit salad, eaten alone as a healthy dessert or eaten with ice cream. Berries are used in salad dressings and sauces.
Berries used in baking such as pies, cupcakes, or a special Finnish dessert called berry-kiisseli eaten alone or with porridge. Berry jams are delicious such as Queen's Jam- Kuningatarhillo
Berries to eat with melted chocolate for fun to enjoy at parties, gatherings, or weekends. Melt your favorite chocolate and use straweberries to dip into the melted chocolate and enjoy, or mix the berries with melted chocolate and let it cool again, and eat once it is solid like a chocolate-berry-bar.
Berries such as rhubarb-strawberry kisel with morning oat-porridge are very common in Finland, or with other morning breakfasts such as pancakes, or cereal breakfast/granola/muesli. Lingonberry whipped semolina porridge is a traditional porridge eaten as a dessert or snack. There are different varieties to make a delicious berry smoothie.
Berry puree to freeze as delicious berry sorbets, simply blending berries with some water and adding sugar or healthy sweeteners such as dates for a sugar-free version
Berries as drinks:
Berry drinks such as home-made berry juices or healthy berry-fruit-mocktails such as sangria made with sparkling water to replace alcoholic versions
Berry-infused water for hot summer, chop your berries, add water to them in a big glass jar, cover it well, let it sit for an hour, and enjoy the aromatic, delicious berry water.
Tips:
People, especially foreigners, often think berries are very strong with a more sour taste and are not used to eating them as they are. However, one can always find many fun ways to enjoy them because berries are very healthy and flavorful, and it only takes some time to learn how to use them. Certainly, it is worth spending some time learning how to eat them since the generous nature of Finland offers them in abundance.
Enjoy summer and Finnish berries.
Berries are the healthiest fruit, offering potential protection against cancer and heart disease, boosting the immune system and acting as a guard for the liver and brain.
- Dr.Michael Greger